lesson 1 Flashcards
The whole idea is preposterous.
extremely unreasonable or silly
Overuse of antibiotics may foster the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
to help something to develop over a period of time
Cook the peas by plunging them into boiling water.
to (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down, or into something
Inflation undercuts consumer buying power
to undermine or destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of
- ## The revision undercuts expectations that the U.S. is close to a recession.
They discussed the propriety of treating ill children against the wishes of the parents.
correctness of social or moral behaviour
!= impropriety
- Critics have questioned the propriety of some of the Senator’s loans.
The new theatre looks utterly incongruous in its setting.
strange, unexpected, or unsuitable in a particular situation
- incongruous colors
- conduct incongruous with principle (not conforming)
- an incongruous story (inconsistent)
- incongruous manners (lacking propriety)
Incongruous manners
(lacking propriety)
The new theatre looks utterly incongruous in its setting.
strange, unexpected, or unsuitable in a particular situation
- incongruous colors
- conduct incongruous with principle (not conforming)
- an incongruous story (inconsistent)
The current housing market is tight.
if there is a tight market, there is not as much of something available as is wanted or needed.
A tight labor market is an employer’s nightmare.
“The current housing market is tight.”
What does that mean exactly? Tighter housing markets generally result in higher seller bargaining power and higher sale prices.
While some may have rejoiced in the new expansion in technology and the economy of the United States, others were skeptical of the rapid changes and feared some of the long-term challenges American hadn’t resolved yet would be forgotten in the blur of innovation.
to feel or show great happiness about something:
She rejoiced in her good fortune.
Everyone rejoiced at the news of his safe return.
In some societies, women are expected to be veiled when they go out in public.
veil = to cover something, especially the face or body, with a veil
- McDonald unveiled its bakery items in 2020 to lure more customers to buy breakfast; The pandemic caused a massive drop in breakfast sales since most workers were remote.
He had lured his victim to a deserted house.
to persuade someone to do something or go somewhere by offering them something exciting
- Supermarket chains try to lure customers with price discounts.
retainer agreement
A retainer agreement is a contract between a client and a professional who requires an upfront payment applied to future work.
A new study contests the belief that aggression stems from poor self-control. Instead, it suggests that aggression is often a deliberate, controlled act, inflicted to maximize retribution.
deserved and severe punishment
- Many saw her death as divine retribution (= punishment by God) for her crimes.
“Pay down”
“Pay up”
“Pay off”
“Pay out”
“Pay down” typically refers to reducing the amount of debt that you owe by making larger payments than the minimum required.”Pay up” is an idiom that is often used to tell someone to fulfill their financial obligations.”Pay off” typically refers to completely satisfying a debt or loan by making a final payment.”Pay out” can refer to the act of distributing money, such as paying out a dividend to shareholders or paying out a prize to a winner.
the sovereignty of Parliament
/ˈsɒvrənti $ ˈsɑːv-/
complete freedom and power to govern
- ## Spain’s claim of sovereignty over the territory
the defence of our national sovereignty
/ˈsɒvrənti $ ˈsɑːv-/
the power that an independent country has to govern itself
It could take fourteen weeks to complete the gruelling journey on foot from London to Rome in the Middle Ages.
/ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/
a grueling journey = very difficult and tiring journey
the afflictions of old age
/əˈflɪkʃən/
something that causes pain or suffering, especially a medical condition
- Because it is an affliction peculiar to women?
- The man spits hatred at anyone who sees his humiliation and affliction.
The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent.
something that makes someone less likely to do something, by making them realize it will be difficult or have bad results
- nuclear deterrent
- Window locks are an effective deterrent against burglars.
The congregation knelt to pray.
/ˌkɒŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən $ ˌkɑːŋ-/
a group of people gathered together in a church
Tom knelt down and patted the dog.
/niːl/
kneel or kneel down / knelt or kneeled
to be in or move into a position where your body is resting on your knees
the bombings are believed to be in retaliation for the trial of 15 suspects
revenge
Unlawful retaliation occurs when a person or an institution takes an adverse action against an individual either in response to the exercise of a protected activity or to deter or prevent protected activity in the future.
